Gresford Athletic exit the 2025/26 Welsh Blood Service League Cup in Round One after a penalty shootout against Ruthin Town on Friday night.

The game started with The Colliers flying out the blocks, as Tom Smith’s second-minute header hits the goalpost.

Then, in the fifth minute, Haci Ozlu was gifted the ball in an attacking area by Ruthin Town goalkeeper Dan Goldston, but his shot was saved.

Ruthin Town quickly raced up the other end of the pitch and hit a powerful strike, but Lewis Dutton made the save in the sixth minute.

Toby Gallagher-Keenan was next to try his luck, with his 10th-minute effort being saved by Ruthin Town’s Goldston.

The momentum continued to favour Gresford Athletic in the 26th minute when Harry Martin flew into a tackle with Lewis Dutton, being shown a straight red card and leaving The Town with 10 men.

The Colliers capitalised on the extra man and, in the 30th minute, Haci Ozlu put in a great ball to reach the head of Jake Roberts, who made it 1-0 to away side.

Lewis Dutton was called upon again just before half-time, pulling off a good stop to deny a Ruthin Town equaliser.

HALF-TIME | Ruthin Town 0-1 Gresford Athletic

The second half started a lot slower, with neither side having many real goalscoring opportunities.

Ruthin Town almost bagged the equalising goal in the 71st minute, but Gresford Athletic breathed a sigh of relief as the effort was fired over.

However, just a minute later, Ruthin Town do find their goal, equalising through Josh Evans, running through the defence and blasting it home.

Substitute Mitchell Williams was then in the right place at the right time to make a crucial block to avoid The Town going ahead in the 77th minute.

Gresford Athletic did come so close to regaining the lead in the 80th minute, but Elliott Orton’s effort was blasted over the crossbar.

Haci Ozlu then drove forward in the 85th minute, but despite a decent effort on goal, Dan Goldston in the Ruthin Town net made the save and the game went to penalties.

FULL-TIME | Ruthin Town 1-1 Gresford Athletic

Haci Ozlu, Dan Collins and Joe Nelson bagged their penalties in the shootout, with Lewis Dutton saving William Cooke’s spot-kick.

Danny Holland, Alexander Webster, Ethan Davies and Matthews Robinson converted their penalties for the home side.

Saves from Dan Goldston to deny Toby Gallagher-Keenan and Iwan Roberts ensured that Ruthin Town came away with the victory on the night.

FULL-TIME | Ruthin Town 1-1 Gresford Athletic (4-3 after penalties)

Ruthin Town

Starting XI: Goldstone (GK), Holland, Nash, E. Davies, Dougherty, O. Davies (C), Salisbury (Robinson - 48'), Webster, Martin, Evans (Cooke - 83'), Morris (Sumner - 90+4')

Goalscorers: Evans

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards: Martin

Subs Not Used: Nicholls (GK), Giblin, Jones

Penalty Shootout Scorers: Holland, Webster, E. Davies, Robinson

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Dutton (GK), Buxton (Williams - 69'), Nicholas, Orton, Nelson, Griffiths (C), I. Roberts, Ozlu, Gallagher-Keenan, T. Smith (Bryan - 83'), J. Roberts (Collins - 64')

Goalscorers: J. Roberts

Subs Not Used: J. Smith, Walters

Penalty Shootout Scorers: Ozlu, Collins, Nelson

Match Officials

Referee: Nicholas Davies
Assistant Referees: Gavin Maloney, Graham Hannah